Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-06-01
sa,ta Ana and way .
The wine Crop.

One Of the most important products
of California is wine. This branch OF
our viticaltural industry has been
steadily increasing for years past. The
kindred branches, raisins and table
grapes. have increased even in
greater proportion. The readers Of
the Report will remember that
we estimated the amount of last
wears vintage at less than 10000, 900
gallons, in spite of larger estimates
given by unreliable contemporaries in
the interests of the wine jobbers OF San
Francisco. The Reports estimate was
correct, as our estimates usually are.
We do not cater to the wants of bulls
or bears, but give plain statements and
the facts.
The Chronicle has estimated this
years vintage at $4,000, 900 gallons
of wine. 1t will be nothing like that.
With the increased area planted to
vines it has been generally, but
enormously, supposed that there
would be large increase in the
wine production. But for several
years past most Of the new land has
been planted to vines that bear
grapes for table or raisin purposes.
me area of new vine-bearing vine.
yards is very limited. The sections
of the State that produce raisin grapes
are mainly free from any danger arising
from late frosts. 1t is frost that has ma.
terially decreased this years vintage.
In Napa county the crop will be fully
one-third short. In Sonoma county
there will be loss of ct least one-fourth.
Damage to vines has been effected in
Santa Clara county on the low lands;
in the neighborhood of Stockton and
Sacramento; in Placer county, and
even as far south as Tulare county.
This years late frosts were unexpect.
cd, and the vine eyardists were, to cer'
tain extent, unprepared for them. The
damage to vines cannot be at present
fully estimated. The estimates given
are those formed from present appear.
ances. But all winemakers will recol-
lect the season of 1885, one similar to
the present year. Then the vintage OF
the whole State was reduced fully one.
half by frosts.
There are many vines that now ap-
pear to have been only slightly
touched. But last years punches that
appeared to be full of grapes lost one.
half of their berries, which fell of and
left the bunch in . seminude con.
dition. The same experience must be
expected this year. Then again, for the
bay counties at least, the season has
been unfavorable for grapes. Until the
past few days we have experienced cool
weather. unfavorable for their devel.
opment. This, followed by excessive
heat, is not good for vines. Taking all
things into consideration, and judging
from special advice, received, the Report
is Of the opinion that the vintage OF 1887
will not exceed 20,0OO,OOO gallons OF
wine.
The exports of wines for this year are
largely in excess Of the exports during
any former year. Each succeeding
month has shown an increased move
ment. The exports Of the present
month, for instance, will probably amount
TO $50. 600 gallons. The only marketable
wines now are those of 1885. Last years
vintage is hardly yet fit for consum ption.
The cellars of city jobbers are practic-
ally empty of marketable wines. Last
years vintage was, moreover, the best
ever produced in California. The wine.
makers are themselves branching out
and selling their wines with.
out the Intervention of the mid.
dleman. A considerable quantity of
holders of California 1885 wines will re.
alize profitable prices for that vintage If
they do not accede to the starvation
prices now offered by the wine jobbers
of San Francisco. The Report thinks
that the outlook for California wines
now in makers hands is most encourag-
ing.-[S. F. Report